Hamilton 1 Dundee United 1

Substitute Andis Shala was the unlikely hero for Dundee United as they denied bottom club Hamilton Academical a first home league win of the season at New Douglas Park.

The German striker headed an equaliser following a Craig Conway cross to rescue a late point for the visitors with only seven minutes remaining.

Mickael Antoine-Curier had earlier netted from the penalty spot after Prince Buaben was ruled to have fouled Gavin Skelton inside the area.

The Tangerines missed early chances with top scorer David Goodwillie heading a Scott Robertson cross narrowly wide before Accies keeper Tomas Cerny was forced to parry from Conway following a mistake by Skelton.

Striker Johnny Russell then appeared a certain scorer when arriving at the back post to meet Goodwillie's cross but failed to apply a finishing touch.

That miss appeared even worse as Antoine-Curie calmly despatched a 33rd minute penalty awarded for an adjudged high challenge from Buaben to earn Hamilton the lead.

The visitors then wasted another opportunity when David Robertson turned a Paul Dixon delivery over the crossbar before manager Peter Houston introduced Danny Swanson and Stuart Armstrong early in the second period.

But it was his former striker Damian Casalinuovo twice lacking the required composure when well-placed before Cerny was called upon to save from both Goodwillie and Dixon at the opposite end.

However, Shala rose highest to nod in a deserved equaliser from a cross by Goodwillie, who was then only denied at his near post by Cerny following substitute Swanson's assist in added time.